Hydraulic bulkhead-door apparatus.



W. G. GIBBONS & F. J. BLAKE. HYDRAULIC BULKHEAD DOOR APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT.15, 1913v 1,09,784, Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

6 SHEETB-SHEET 1.

(m /Aw W. G. GIBBONS & F. J. BLAKE. HYDRAULIC BULKHEAD DOOR APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED SBPT.15, 1913.

Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

- FIG. 2.

W. G. GIBBONS & F. J. BLAKE. HYDRAULIC BULKHEAD 1300a APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15, 1913. 1,090,78%, Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHBET 3.

FIG. a. $16.4.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CD.. WASHINGTON, n. c.

W. e. GIBBONS 2; F. J. BLAKE. HYDRAULIC BULKHEAD DOOR APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 15, 1913. 1,090,784. Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W. G. GIBBONS & F. J. BLAKE. HYDRAULIC BULKHEAD DOOR APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SBPT.15, 1913. 1,090,784. Patened Mar. 17, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

W. G. GIBBONS & P. J. BLAKE. HYDRAULIC BULKHEAD noon APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15. 1913.

- I Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

AWE anion.

WILLIAM GREGORY GIBIBONS, OE EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, AND FREDERICK JOHN BLAKE, OF BASSETT, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOBS TO J. STONE & COMPANY LIMITED, 0F

DEP'IFORD, ENGLAND.

HYDRAULIC BULKHEAD-DOOR, APPARATUS.

ncense.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 17 1914:.

Application filed September 15, 1913. Serial No. 789,950.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, WILLIAM GREGORY GIBBONS and FREDERICK J or-m BLAKE, subjccts of the King of Great Britain, and residing, respectively, at Viewpark, Russell Place, Trinity, Edinburgh, in the county of Midlothian, North Britain, and Beechcroft, Burgess street, Bassett, in the county of Hampshire, England, have invented new and useful Hydraulic Bulkhead-Door Apparatus, of which the following is a speciiication.

Bulkhead and like doors in ships are usually raised and lowered by power, or by hand mechanism, operating the doors through various forms of gearing. In the gearing there is in some cases a disconnectible looking device, such as a clutch or a ratchet and pawl, so that on withdrawing this device the door is freed and closes by its own weight.

We are aware that it has hitherto been proposed to release bulkhead doors by withdrawing a pawl from a rack on the door by means of a rod acting directly on the pawl, the rod being connected directly to and operated by a diaphragm or piston actuated by compressed air or water power. We are further aware that it has also been proposed to provide a system of combined hydraulic power and hand operated gearing for raising and lowering watertight doors for ships in which there is a clutch in the hand gear which is automatically withdrawn when the hydraulic gear is operating the door, the clutch being only controlled by the hydraulic door operating gear and not separately from the bridge. This invention however only relates to bulkhead and like doors which close by gravity when released and has for its object to provide improved and simple apparatus by means of which the clutches, pawls or the like in the door operating mechanism of all the doors on board a ship may be withdrawn from the bridge or other suitable position at a dis tance from the doors, either simultaneously,

. so that the doors may all be allowed to close at one time when desired; or separately so that any lesser number of the doors could be closed and the others left open.

The improved apparatus comprises essen tially a usual disconnectible locking device in each door operating gearing, means controlled by a spring and by a small hydraulic cylinder to operate the locking device, a single hydraulic cylinder at or near the transmitting station the ram or piston of which has a displacement equal to more than that of all the small rams or pistons, pipe connections putting each of the small cylinders in communication with the large cylinder, a valve or cook on each pipe connect1on, means for operating the large ram by power, or by hand, or by both power and hand an operating-fluid supply tank situated at some little height above the apparatus, a supply pipe connecting this tank with the large hydraulic cylinder, means for closmg the supply pipe on the inward movement of the large ram and opening it on the outward movement thereof, and when power is used to operate the large ram, means for controlling the movement of the motor is also preferably employed. When the large ram is at the outer end of its cylinder the pressure in the pipe system is only that due to the head of operating fluid in the overhead tank. The system is thus kept fully charged, and any variation in the normal pressure due to leakage, contraction, or expansion is thereby corrected. To cause all the doors to close at one time the large ram is moved inward in its cylinder. A small movement inward of this ram cuts off the supply of fluid from the overhead tank so that the system is then shut off from this tank. On continued inward movement of the ram, pressure is at once transmitted to all the small cylinders, causing the rams thereof to so actuate the means operating the disconnecting device against the pull of the spring that all the devices are disconnected. All the doors are then free to close as hereinbefore described.

Should it be desired to close only some of the doors and leave the others open, the cock on the pipe connection leading to the re.- ceiving cylinders of the doors which it is desired to leave open is closed before the transmitting ram is operated.

In order that the invention and the manner or performing the same may be properly understood there are hereunto appended six sheets of explanatory drawings in which Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a sectional elevation showing diagrammatically one example of the improved apparatus. Fig. 2, Sheet 2, is a sectional elevation, and Figs. 3 and 4: Sheet 3, are elevations at right angles to each other showing a second example of the transmitting part of the apparatus, while Fig. 5, Sheet 4, is an elevation showing a third example of that part of the apparatus; and a fourth example is shown in Fig. 6, Sheet 5, and Fig. 7, Sheet 6, these two figures being elevations at right angles to each other.

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the bulkhead door A is of usual form having on it a rack A with which engages a pinion A on a shaft A operated through worm and wormwheel gearing A by hand or ower when it is desired to raise the door. n the wormwheel is one member A of a locking clutch, the other member A of which is movable endwise on the shaft A When the two parts A", A of the clutch are engaged the door is held in its open position by the worm and wormwheel A". On disengaging the movable part A of the clutch from the fixed part A the gearing is freed and the door descends by its own weight to its closed position. Its descent may be controlled by cataract cylinders if desired. The movable part A of each clutch has connected to it one end of a bellcrank lever B to which a spring B is so attached that the two parts of the clutch are normally kept in engagement. A rod B connects the lever B to the usual float device (not shown) which opcrates the lever so as to free the clutch upon the rise of water in the ships hold and thus allow the door to close, as hereinbefore clescribed, all in known manner.

In order that the locking clutch device A A in the door operating mechanism of all the doors on board a ship may be released from the bridge or other suitable position at a distance from the doors, either simultaneously so that the doors may all be allowed to close at one time when desired, or separately so that any lesser number of the doors could be closed and the others left open, according to the present invention each lever B is also connected by slotted links B to the ram of a small hydraulic cylinder 13*. Pipe connections B put the interior of each of the small cylinders in communication with a port O in a single hydraulic cylinder O at or near the transmitting station. The ram C of this cylinder has a displacement equal to more than the joint displacement of all the small rams.-

Each plpe connection B is fitted with a valve or cook (not shown). An operatingfiuid supply tank O is situated at some little height above the apparatus and connected by a pipe (3* with a port O in the cylinder C The pipe C is fitted with a valve casing D containing a valve D which is closed by a spring D on the inward movement of the large ram (1 and is opened on the outward movement thereof by a camshaped tappet D on a rod D operated by a tappet cro sshead D onthe ram, so that when the large ram O is at the outer end ofits cylinder as shown in Fig. 1 the tappet D engages for example an external arm D on the outer end of a rock shaft D which has on its inner end, within the cas ing D, an arm D provided with a forked end engaging a lug on the valve stem and raises the latter against the action of the spring and opens thevalve D so that the charging of the pipe system at a pressure due to the head of operating fluid in the overhead tank O is insured. A stop cock C controls the supply from the tank C so that the operating fluid may be cut off from the cylinder O when desired, and this cylinder is fitted with a relief valve O to prevent damage from excess. pressure in the system.

To operate the large ram O there is pro vided anelectric motor (not shown) operating a worm D gearing with a worm wheel D* on a short hollow shaft D turning in bearings formed for it in a carrying stool D". The shaft D is internally screwed to receive the externally screwed end-of a shaft E passing through it. The opposite end of this shaft butts against one end of a second shaft E carried with it on a supporting bracket E the opposite end of this second shaft E being connected to the large ram G On this second shaft is a'rack E with which there gears a pinion E driven through multiplying gearing by a hand wheel E When the motor is started the worm D and wormwheel D are so actuated that the screwed shaft E is made to travel endwise in the direction which causes the rack shaft E and large ram C to which it is connected, to move inward. On a small inward movement of this ram, the valve D controlling the supply of fluid from the over.

head tank C is free to close, so that the pipe system is then shut off from this tank;

On continued inward movement of the ram O pressure is at once transmitted to all the small cylinders B, causing the rams thereof to so actuate the levers B, operating the movable parts A of the clutches against the pull of the springs B that all the clutches are freed. All the doors A are then free to close as hereinbefore described.

If the cock on any of the pipe connections 13 is closed before the ram C is operated the corresponding door or doors will remain open while the others are allowed to close. WVhen the doorsA close, the motor is then stopped either by hand or automatically by an electric contact device, or a device operated, through suitable means, by the pressure in the system, as hereinafter described. During the inward movement of the ram C the handwheel E and rack operating gearing are rotating idly.

hen it is desired to withdraw the large ram G the motor is reversed so that the screwed shaft E is run to its extreme outward position. Then the gear operated by the handwheel E is used to withdraw the ram. Or the screwed shaft E may be con nected direct to the large ram 0 sothat the motor may be used to move the large ram in both directions, and the hand gear be dispensed with. Or again where the number of doors A is small and the power required to force the large ram C inward consequently comparatively little, the motor and its gearing may be dispensed with, and the hand gear be used alone to operate the large ram.

Packed pistons may be substituted for the rams of the small receiving cylinders B Also instead of the ram C in the transmitting cylinder C there may be used, according to the example shown in Figs. 2 to 4, a packed piston C the outlet port C in this case being formed near the outer end of the cylinder C also in this case there is substituted for the valve D of the previous example upper and lower ports C C in the cylinder and connected by a pipe C the upper port C being over-run by the pis ton to shut ofi the pipe system from the supply tank pipe (3* shown by chain lines. The relief valve 0 is similarly shown as being connected by a pipe (1 with the supply tank pipe C The piston C is formed on the upper end of a rack G (Fig. 2) working in the cylinder C and gearing with a pinion G on a spindle G extending out through a stuffing box in the side of the cylinder. This spindle G has on it a spurwheel G gearing with a pinion G on a second spindle G which may be connected through a usual clutch device G with a handwheel E (loose on the spindle G when it is desired to operate the transmitting piston C by hand. The construction of transmitting plant in this example, thus far described, is similar to certain known forms of transmitting cylinders in telemotor gear.

In order to be able to operate the transmitting piston C by spring power, according to this example, the piston has secured to it, one end of a rod H extending out through a stuffing box in the upper end of the transmitting cylinder C This rod has on its upper end a plunger H working in a small cylinder H open to the atmosphere and extending centrally within a pair of springs H H arranged concentrically between a cross-head H and a base H carried on the cylinder C the small cylinder being screwed into an aperture formed through the crosshead H The springs H1 H are separated by a guiding cylinder H and the crosshead has connected to it a pair of rods J J extending down to and connected with plungers worklng in cataract cylinders J J 4 carried one on each side of the trans mitting cylinder, these cylinders being provided for the purpose of checking the rapidity of action of the springs. In connection with each rod J and J 2 there is provided a pair of links J J each pair being hinged together at one end and pivoted at their opposite ends one to a pin J 7 on the cylinder and theother to a pin J in the rods J and J The lower link J of each pair has on it a tail piece J (Fig. 3) on which acts a spring-operated tappet K tending to force the links to one side of th center line (the left hand side in Fig. 3) and against cams K K on a transverse shaft K capable of being rocked by a handled lever K l/Vith the parts in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the links act as struts and prevent the power of the springs H H being exerted to pull the transmitting piston C lVhen it is desired that the springs H H should operate the piston C the shaft K is rocked so as to cause the cams K K to throw the hinged ends of the two pairs of links J, J to the opposite side of the center line from that in which they are shown in Fig. 3. The springs are then freed and the power stored in them acting through the crossheacl H the small cylinder H the plunger H and the rod H connected to the transmitting piston C operates that piston as desired. At the end of the stroke the links take up the position shown by dotted lines.

When it is desired to withdraw the transmitting piston C the clutch device G is so operated as to cause the handwheel E to be engaged with the spindle G and on turning that handwheel the piston is brought back through the gearing acting on the rack G and the springs H H are pulled down. The links J J are also then brought back to the position in which the tappet K forces them into the locking position.

According to the example shown in Fig. 5 the transmitting piston is connected with a piston in a steam cylinder L carried by a flanged bracket on the upper end of the transmitting cylinder C The inlet and exhaust passages U, L and ports of this cylinder L are controlled by a valve the spindle of which is connected by links L with one arm of an operating bellcrank lever L The valve is so proportioned that when the ports are in mid position as shown both ports of the steam cylinder are open to the exhaust, and the transmitting piston may be operated by the handwheel gear as described in the second example hereinbefore described. On disconnecting the handwheel and moving the handled lever L to the left, the

steam valve is so thrown that steam is admitted to the under side of the steam piston and this piston through its connecting rod then pulls up the transmitting piston to cause it to force the operating fluid through the pipe system to all or any of the small cylinders, as hereinbefore described. To force back the transmitting piston, the steam valve is so thrown as to admit steam to the upper side of the steam piston, the under side of that piston being then open to the exhaust. Or the steam valve may be brought to mid position and the transmitting piston withdrawn by the hand gear, as hereinbefore described.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7 an electric motor M operates a spindle h 1 on which is a worm l 2 gearing with a worm wheel M on the handwheel spindle G the wormwheel being connected with the spindle by a clutch M the movable member of which is operated by levers M connected by links M with the handwheel clutch operating lever so that either the handwheel E or the motor may be thrown into gear to operate the transmitting piston as hereinbefore described.

A spring controlled plunger rod N projects through the top of the transmitting cylinder C, and is connected to a lever N, which controls the movement of a switch N which in turn controls the supply of current to the motor. When the transmitting piston is at the end of its forcing stroke, it engages the lower end of the plunger rod N and forces the latter upward, thereby operating the lever N so as to move the switch N to cut off the current and stop the motor. Similarly to prevent damage from excess of pressure in the system, a pipe shown by a chain line N in Fig. 7, is led from the top of the transmitting cylinder C to an accumulator N 4 the ram N of which has connected to it a rod N 6 to the upper end of which is connected one end of a lever N controlling the movement of a switch N which in turn controls the supply of current to the motor. Should pressure in the pipe system rise beyond a predetermined limit, the switch N is moved by the mechanism described so that the supply of current is cut off and the motor stopped. A spring P surrounding the rod N extends between an upper crosshead P fixed to the upper end of carrying rods P secured at their lower ends to a flange P on the accumulator N and a crosshead P free to travel upward on the carrying rods P but limited in its downward travel by nuts P on the lower screwed ends of the rods P During upward travel of the ram N nuts P on its rod N force up the free crosshead P and the spring P is compressed to such an extent that on the motor being stopped the reaction of the spring P will return the parts to their first position on the pressure being reduced.

What we claim as our invent-ion and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A self-contained hydraulic power plant comprising a plurality of hydraulic mechadraulic cylinder and piston, means for supplying pressure fluid to the cylinder, a spring connected with the piston, means for compressing the spring, means for locking the latter in its compressed position, means for releasing the locking means, and means for checking the expansion of the spring.

3. In a hydraulic power plant, a main hydraulic cylinder having an outlet at one end and an inlet port near its opposite end, a liquid supply connected withthe inlet port, a piston in the cylinder adapted to close the inlet port during its forcing stroke, a spring connected with one end of the piston adapted to impart the forcing stroke thereto, and

a rack and pinion connected with the other end of the piston to draw the latter against the action of the spring.

4. In a hydraulic power plant, a main hydraulic cylinder having pressure fluid inlet and outlet ports at opposite ends thereof, a piston in the cylinder controlling the inlet port, a rod connected tothe'piston, a spiral spring mounted at one end of the cylinder, means connecting the rod to the outer end of the spring, means to depress the spring to position the piston for its forcing stroke, means to lock the spring in its depressed position, means to release the locking means, and means to cushion the action of the spring during its expansion.

5. In a hydraulic power plant, a main hydraulic cylinder and piston, means for supplying pressure fluid to the cylinder, spring actuated mechanism for imparting the foreing stroke to the piston, means for retracting the piston against the action of the spring, means for locking the piston against the action of the spring, means for releasing the locking means and cataract cylinders connected with the spring actuated mecha nism for cushioning the action of the spring.

6. In a hydraulic power plant, a main hydraulic cylinder and piston, mechanism for imparting a forcing stroke to the piston comprising concentric spiral springs mounted at one end of the cylinder, a connecting woo /ea cylinder extending centrally within the springs, a cross head connecting the outer ends of the connecting cylinder and springs, a plunger in the connecting cylinder, a rod connecting the plunger and piston, means to depress the spring to retract the piston, means to lock the spring depressed, and means to release the locking means.

7. In a hydraulic power plant, a main hydraulic cylinder and piston, mechanism for imparting a forcing stroke to the piston comprising concentric spiral springs mounted at one end of the cylinder, a connecting cylinder extending centrally within the springs, a cross head connecting the outer ends of the connecting cylinder and springs, a plunger in the connecting cylinder, a rod connecting the plunger and piston, means to depress the spring to retract the piston, means to lock the spring depressed, and means to release the locking means, cataract cylinders on each side of the main cylinders, and rods connecting the plungers of the cataract cylinders with the cross head.

8. In a hydraulic power plant, a main hydraulic cyinder and piston, mechanism for imparting a forcing stroke to the piston comprising concentric spiral springs tad mounted at one end of the cylinder, a connecting cylinder extending centrally Within the springs, a cross head connecting the outer ends of the connecting cylinder and springs, a plunger in the connecting cylinder, a rod connecting the plunger and piston, a rack on the piston, a pinion in mesh with the rack, hand operated mechanism for rotating the pinion to depress the springs, cataract cylinders 011 each side of the main cylinders, rods connecting the plungers of the cataract cylinders with the cross head, articulated links connected to the rods and main cylinder adapted to lock the springs in their depressed condition, means to hold the links in locking position, and means to move the links to release the springs.

-WILLIAlWl GREGORY GIBBONS. FREDERICK JOHN BLAKE.

Vitnesses to the signature of William Gregory Gibbons:

FREDERICK PIATT, Gnnons VVHITELAW. Witnesses to the signature of Frederick John Blake:

HARVEY J. BAVERSTOCK, W. DYMOND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. O. 

